Assessing competency for remote telecytology rapid on-site evaluation using pre-recorded dynamic video streaming

Telecytology using real-time microscopy has gained popularity for rapid on-site evaluations (ROSE). Although proficiency testing is routinely used in cytopathology, no established means of competency assessment is currently available for telecytology. Our aim was to determine the feasibility of a dynamic (real-time) platform to assess telecytology competency.

Remote Medical Technology dynamic (real-time) video streaming platform for ROSE is used at our institution, and short video clips of telecytology cases were recorded using Camtasia Studio 8 software during different ROSE sessions. Selected MP4 videos (range 13-88 seconds, mean 33 seconds), along with clinical histories, were used to build a multiple-choice question test with one training case and 20 test cases, utilising Tutor (Philips) software to host the web-based test. The test was voluntary for cytopathologists and cytotechnologists. Answers and feedback from test takers were analysed.

Thirteen participants-four cytopathologists and nine cytotechnologists-previously trained to use telecytology, volunteered to take the test. Individual scores ranged from 10 (50%) to 19 (95%) with a median of 16 (80%). Most feedback received involved technical difficulties.

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first tool to assess telecytology competency for ROSE using pre-recorded dynamic streaming videos. Despite technical challenges related to incorporating videos into a web-based test, the test was feasible and provided users with valuable feedback about their ROSE performance. Future effort will be devoted to establishing a more user-friendly test platform and establishing a benchmark for passing scores.